British Airways (BA) will discontinue its flights to Beijing starting in October, citing challenges stemming from the ongoing ban on using Russian airspace. Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Western airlines have been prohibited from flying over Russia, forcing them to take longer routes. This has resulted in extended flight times and increased costs, including higher fuel and crew expenses.
Unlike Western carriers, Chinese airlines still have access to Russian airspace, giving them a competitive edge in the region. BA had highlighted the importance of the Heathrow to Beijing route when it resumed flights last year after the Covid-19 pandemic pause. However, during a recent investor call, Nicholas Cadbury, CFO of BA’s parent company IAG, noted that demand in China remains weak.
BA has now announced that its Beijing flights will be suspended until November 2025, with schedules subject to ongoing review. Additionally, the airline will reduce its daily flights to Hong Kong from two to one while maintaining its service to Shanghai.
The recovery of air traffic between Europe and China has been slow post-pandemic, with Chinese airlines dominating the market. Virgin Atlantic also recently announced the cancellation of its Shanghai flights, its only Chinese destination, starting in October. The airline cited “significant challenges and complexities” on the route, including longer flight times of approximately one hour to Shanghai and two hours on the return to London, as reasons for the decision.
